SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 108, 31 January 1941, Page 12

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

Gap Of Only Three Miles By Next Year NEW MINISTER’S AIM (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 30. If the rails are available Kaikoura should become the southern terminal of the northern section of the South Island Main Trunk railway in four or live months. That is the first of two objectives of the new Alinister of Public AVorks, Air. Armstrong. The second objective is to bring the railhead of the southern section to Oaro or Goose Bay within six months, and to the Kowhai River in 12 months, leaving a gap of only three miles to Kaikoura to complete the line from Bluff to Picton. An inspection of railway construction as far north as the Hapnka River, a fetv miles north of Kaikoura, which has been spanned by an impressive 1500-foot earth-filled span bridge, was made today by the Minister in company' with the former Alinister, Air. Semple. After discussing all aspects of construction over the 78-miie section from AVharanui, Alarlborough, to I’arnirssus. North Canterbury, Air. Armstrong said the work would have been much further advanced if the war had not caused a shortage of materials and men. Notwithstanding delays, (lie Government was thoroughly satisfied with the progress nmde, and the completion of the line wiTbin the next few months to Kaikoura front the northern end and to the Kowhai River from Canterbury, would be a wonderful accomplishment, and a boon to both Canterbury and Alarlborough and to the Kaikoura district in particular.